Cigar-bunching machine



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1. O. BROWNING.. CIGAR BUNQHING MACHINE.

PatentedMay 22, 1888.

INVENTOR,

WITNESSES:

5 SheetsSheet 2.

O. BROWNING. CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

Patented May 22, 1888.

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(No Model.)

0 BROWNING CIGAR BUNGHING'MAGHINE.

Patented May 22, 1888.

S E S S E N W w r. Washingto 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. v

(No Model.)

0 BROWNING CIGAR BUNOHING MACHINE.

Patented May'ZZ, 1888.

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INVENTOR,

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. O. BROWNING;

GIGAR BUNOHING MACHINE. No. 383,342. Patented May .22, 1888.

WITNESSES: IN VENTOR,

@ Ww g f .NITED STATES I Th1 CLINTON BROWVNING, OF SHOUSETOWN,PENNSYLVANIA.

ClGAR BUNCHING MACl-HNE.

EPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,342, dated May 22,1888.

Application filed .l obruary 1, 1887. Serial No. 226,157. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLINTON BROWNING, residing at Shousetown, in thecounty of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, a citizen of the UnitedStates, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvementin Oigar-Bunching Machines, of which improvement the following is aspecification.

In the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification,Figurel is a view in front elevation of a cigar-bunching machineembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the machine in sideelevation. Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, on anenlarged scale, of the upper portion of the machine. Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the mechanism for moving the molds. Fig. 6 is asimilar view of one of the adjustable side plates of themeasuring-chamber. Figs. 7 and 8 are horizontal and vertical sections ofthe feed-chamber at the lower end of the hopper. Figs. 9 and 10 aresectional elevations and top plan views of the bunching and bindingtable and the parts operating in connection therewith. Figs. 11, 12, and13-are perspective views of different forms of the door or plate of themeasuringchamber. Figs. 14 and 15 are top plan and sectional viewsshowing the construction and arrangement of two forms of the binder,spreader, and smoother. Figs. 16 and 17 are sectional and under sideviews of the bunching-table having a bunch-holder attached thereto. Fig.18 is a detail of the comb-operating mechanism.

The invention herein relates to certain improvements in machines forforming cigarbunches having approximately the shape or contour desiredin the finished cigar, the object of such construction being to obviateeX- ccssive compression, now necessary to shape the usual cylindricalform of bunch.

Generally stated, the invention herein con sists in a construction andarrangement of parts, first, for the accurate measurement andproportionate distribution of the filler; second, for the retention andspreading out of the binder in proper position for its subsequentapplication to the filler; and, third, for the automatic discharge ofthe bunch into a mold or other receptacle, all as more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

The frame of the machine consists of the two castiron side pieces, 1,each having a curved upper portion, 2, and an upward extension, 3, fromthe rear side of the curved portion, said upward extension beingsuitably shaped to form the ends of the hopper 4.. The back of thehopper is formed by plate 5. (See Figs. 4 and 8.) Near the lower endthis plate 5 projects forwardly in a horizontal direction, forming ashelf, 6, and extends down vertically into close proximity to thebunching-table, and forms the rear wall of the dischargenozzle of thehopper. The front wall of the hopper is formed by the stationary plate 8and the inwardlycurved and removable plate 9, said plate being removablefor the purpose of permitting access to the interior of the hopp Thedischarge of the filler from the hopper is regulated by a comb, 10,arranged to reciprocate across the lower end of the hopper in a planejust above a slotted plate, 13, secured on the shelf 6, and forming theoutlet from the hopper into the nozzle thereof, and on which the inneror free ends of the teeth of the comb rest when the latter is at theinner limit of its stroke. (See Figs. 4 and 8 The back 11 of the comb isarranged outside of the hopper along the front thereof, and the teethproject into the hopper through notches 12, formed in the lower edge ofthe removable plate 90f the hopper. The teeth between the notches 12serve to clear the teeth of the comb of any particles of filler duringthe outward movement of the comb.

The back 11 of the comb is secured to the lower end of the angular arm14, the upper end of said arm being pivoted to one end of the hopper.(See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) The arm 14 is enlarged at its-angle, and insaid enlargement 28 (see Fig. 18) is formed a curved slot, 15, (seeFigs. 4 and 18,) and through the slot is passed a pin, 16, secured to adisk, 17, on the end of the shaft 18, said disk being arranged in arecess in the end wall of the hopper. (See Fig. 3.) This shaft 18 isrotated back and forth by the rack 19 engaging the pinion 20 on the endof said shaft, the lower end of the rack being attached to the triangwlar frame 21, pivoted to the pin 22, mounted in one of the side framesof the machine.

In operating the machine the pin 16 is to tated in the direction of thearrow (1, Fig. 18, and bears first upon the upper side of the part 24 ofthe enlargement 23, thereby forcing the eombslight-ly inward, and thenbears upon the part 25 of said enlargement, forcing the comb outward andpermitting the filler to enter the discharge-nozzle.Thereturnmovementofthe pin 16 reverses the above operations, as will beclearly understood. The entire opening and closing movements of the combare effected by the operation of the pin 16 on the part 25 of theenlargement, the slight jerk of the comb being effected by the pinoperat ing on the part 24 of the enlargement.

In order to keep the filler loose for the pur pose of facilitating thefeed thereof, arms 26 are secured to the shaft 18 within the hopper.

Within the discharge-nozzle are arranged the side plates, 27, (see Figs.6, 7, and 8.) mounted on the screws 28, passing through the ends of thenozzle. These plates can be adjusted toward and from each other by therotation of the screws for the purpose of regulating the capacity of thenozzle. The front of the nozzle is formed by a plate, 29, secured at oneedge to the shaft 30, mounted in suit able bearings along the front ofthe hopper, (see Figs. 3 and 8,) and to this front plate, 29, is secureda plate, 31, by means of a screw passing through a slot in the frontplate and engaging a flange, 32, on the plate 31. This plate 31, whichforms the movable bottom of the nozzle, and is adjustable, as abovedescribed, for the purpose of regulating the amount of filler to be fedthereto, can be made either straight, as shown in Fig. 11, upwardly bentat one end, as in Fig. 12, or upwardly bent at both ends, as in Fig. 13.The upwardly-bent ends serve to diminish the capacity of thelneasuringreceptacle within the nozzle at one or both ends, and therebyproportion the filler at such parts to the shape of the bunch to beformed.

A finger, 33, is attached to one end of the shaft 30, for engagementwith a projection, 34, on one of the horizontal extensions 35 of thearms 36, carrying the bunching-roll 37. (See Fig. 4.) As the arm 36moves forward in forming a bunch, the projection 34 engages the finger33 and rotates the shaft 30 and the parts connected thereto against thetension of a in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 4.)

The bunching roller 37 is loosely mounted in arms 36, formed on orconnected to the vibrating frame 21, (see Fig. 2,) and is carriedforward over the table by the frame when operated by the treadle 42,connected thereto.

In launching-machines as heretofore constructed it has been necessaryfor the operator to hold one end of the binder against the apron hangingover the rear end of the table until the bunehing-roller is nearly atsaid end, and to smooth out the portion of the binder lying on the tablewith the other hand. In order to avoid these manual operations,whichconsume the greater part of time lost in forming bunches, twosideplates, 43, are mounted on a rod, 44, on each side of the loop inthe apron at the rear end of the bunching-table.

These plates are provided with rearwardlyextended and upwardly-curvedarms 45,which are held against the bunching roller 37 by springs 46.(See Figs. 9 and 10.) The curvature of the arms 45 permits of an upwardand forward movement of the side plates, induced by the springs 46, whenthe roller 37 is moved as above stated, but also act as lateralretainers to prevent the tiller from dropping out of the loop in theapron when discharged thereon, and as various widths of apron areemployed, a right and left hand thread is cut on the rod 44 for theadjustment of the sideplates in accordance with the width of apronemployed.

In order to smooth out the binder in front of the bunchingroller, aroller, 47, of rubber or other suitable material, is mounted in theextensions 35 of the arms 36 a short distance in front of thebunchingroller, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15,the apron 40 passing betweensaid rollers. In order to spread the binder lateral1y,as well as tosmooth it out,a \l-shaped rod, 48, is secured to the extensions 35, theapex of said rod being toward the front of the table, and on the legs ofthe rod are mounted two rollers, 47, whose action will effect a lateralspreading out as well as a smoothing of the binder.

In suitable ways beneath the bunching-tablc is arranged a slide orcarrier, 49, (see Fig. 9,) provided on its under side with a series ofteeth or projections, 50, with which a pawl, 51, pivotally mounted ontheend of an arm, 52, engages, said arm being seenred toa rock-shaft, 53,mounted in the side pieces, 1, said shaft being operated by the curvedarm 54,attached thereto and resting upon a rod or bar, 55, connectingthe arms 36, said arms being provided with shoulders I), and thecurvature of their under side corresponds to the line of move-' ment ofthe bar 55. The curved arm 54 is held in contact with the bar 55 by aloop, 56,

passing over said arm and connected to the bar or rod. As the bar or red55 is moved forward during the bunching operation,it strikes theshoulder b of the arm 54, thereby slightly raising said arm, andimparting, through the medium of the shaft 53, a forward movement to thearm 52, and through the medium of the pawl 51 to the carrier. The pawlis held in engagement with the teeth of the carrier by the spring-rod57, connected to the pawl by bar 58. (See Fig. 5.) By depressing the rod57,whieh passes up through the top or table 59 of the machine, the pawlcan be held away from the carrier and the latter withdrawn entirely fromthe machine. During the operation of the machine a half-mold, 6.0, isattached to the carrier and moved along therewith a distance equal tothe distance between two mold cavities at each bunching operation. Thebunching roller 37 is given such an amount of movement beyond the frontend of the bunchingtable as to tighten the wrappingapron, and therebycausing the part of the apron between the front end of the bunchingtableand the bunching roller to press the bunch just formed into one of themold-mat rices, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. As the apron is slightlyyielding or elastic, the pressure thereof will not injure or break thebunch.

The comb used in regulating the feed of tobacco to the discharge-nozzledoes not break or injure the tobacco and can be easily forced throughthe filler in a direct line, as will be clearly understood.

In lieu of the half-mold 60, hooks 61 may be secured to the front end ofthe bunching-t-able,

(see Figs. 16 and 17,) into which the bunches can be dropped, to besubsequently removed by the operator. The stems of these hooks areslotted, as shown, to permit of their adjustment in and out, they beingnormallyheld in by the spring 62, but may be clamped in any position bythe screws 68.

In order to prevent the formation of wrinklcsin the part of the apronlying on the table, I render said portion coinparativelystiff or rigid,as indicated by a heavy black line in Fig. 9, by painting or othersuitable treatment, the remaining portion of the apron being made asflexible as possible, in order that such flexible portion willautomatically loop down,thereby forming the pocket for the reception ofthe filler.

In order to prevent the shock incident to the bunchingroller strikingagainst the rear end of the table, and also to prevent the for wardspreading of the filler along the table in front of the roller, theupper surface of the table adjacent to its rear end isinclined slightlydownward, or formed on an arc of a circle of shorter radius, as shown atate 7), than the radius of the main portion of the table, Fig. 9.

I am aware that forks or combs having a diagonally upward and inwardmovement, a downward movement, and then a horizontal outward movement,have been employed in connection with a rotating drum having afeedpocket, for the purpose of compressing the filler into said pocket,but not for the purpose of cutting off certain predetermined quanti- 7oties of filler and supporting the remainder of the filler within thehopper, such function being effected by the rotating drum or cylinder;but I am not aware that a horizontally-reciprocating fork or comb hasever been usedin connection with a hopper having a nozzle constructed topermit of the vertical discharge of the filler cut off by the operationof the fork, which serves not only to cut off a certain amount ofthefiller without appreciably compressing or crushing the same, but also asa support for the remainder of the filler withln the hopper.

.I claim herein as my invention-- 1. In a cigar-bunching machine, thecombination of a hopper, a nozzle at the discharge end of the hopperconstructed to permit of the passage of the filler therethrough, and areciprocating non-compressing comb arranged between the hopper andnozzle, substantially as set forth.

2. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a hopper, a nozzleatthe discharge end of the hopper constructed to permit of the passage ofthe filler therethrough and pro- 5 vided with a swinging door, and areciprocating non-compressing comb arranged between the hopper andnozzle, substantially as set forth.

3. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combi- IOO nation of a hopper, anozzle at the discharge end of the hopper, a comb arranged between thehopper and nozzle, and mechanism for imparting a reciprocating and ajerking motion to the comb, whereby the filler cut oif by the [o5 combis disengaged from the comb and the body of filler in the hopper,substantially as set forth.

4. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a bunching-table, amovable bunch- 11o ing-roller, and an apron passing over the table androller, said apron being comparatively stiff or rigid as regards theentire portion resting upon the table and flexible as regards theportion designed to form the pocket,where- I 15 by the apron is causedto lie smoothly upon the table and the flexible portion to loop down infront of the roller when in its rearmost position, substantially as setforth.

5. In a eigar-bunehing machine, the combi- [2o nation of a hopper, anozzle at the discharge end of the hopper provided with an adjustableswinging door, and a comb arranged to reciprocate between the hopper andnozzle, substantially as set forth.

6. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of filler-feedingmechanism, a bunching-table, a movable bunching-roller, an apron passingover the table and roller, and pivoted side plates arranged at the rearend of the 1 0 table and movable to and from the end of the table by thebunching-roller, substantially as set forth.

7'. In a cigar-bunehing machine, the combination of filler-feedingmechanism, a bunchsmoothing roller, and an apron passing over ing-tahle,a movablebundling-roller, anapron the table and between the bnnehing andpassing over the table and roller, and clamps smoothing rollers,substantially as set forth.

at the rear end of the table for holding one In testimony whereof I havehereunto set 5 end of the binder against the rear end of the my hand.

table, substantially as set forth.

8. In a eigar-hnncliing machine, the combi- OLIN10N BROWNING nation offiller-feeding mechanism, a bunch- \Vitnesses: ing-tableprovided atitsrear end with abinder- DARWIN S. \VoLooTT,

1c clamp, a movable bLlllChlllg-IOHOI, a binder- R. H. \VHITTLEsnY.

